Italy 23-20 Scotland
Sat 15 March, 2008
Stadio Flaminio, Rome

Italy won their last match of the Six Nations championship, with a drop goal in the final minute to beat a Scotland team who played some of their best rugby of the year. The result restored some much needed pride into Italy’s national rugby psyche, so much so, that their collection of the Wooden Spoon was only of secondary concern.

Scotland had the upper hand in the first half, which saw them pile forward straight from kick off. But Italy defended well, as they did throughout, and prevented Scotland making any early headway.

Italy stormed to within inches of the Scottish line after 5 minutes, and could have had a Try from a ruck, but were unable to capitalise. A Marcato missed penalty further dented their confidence after a Scottish scrum collapsed within distance.

It was Italy that took the first points of the game after 13 minutes, when they were awarded a penalty Try. Mike Blair was penalised for collapsing another scrum, and the 5 points were awarded by the referee. The conversion was made by Andrea Marcato to make it 7-0.

Scotland burst back with a well-fought and played out Try, scored by Hogg and converted by Paterson to make it 7-7. A further penalty on 25 minutes, taken by Dan Parks, put the Scots well in control approaching the half hour mark. The score gave Scotland the impetus, and they soon found their best play of the championship, displaying excellent rugby skill and control.

The scores were levelled again after 36 minutes, though, when Italy full-back Andrea Marcato slotted a long penalty from just inside Scotland’s half. But Scotland weren’t done, and scored their second Try right on the stroke of half time. Mike Blair picked up a loose ball in midfield and screamed through the Italy defence to score, which was easily converted by Paterson to make it 10-17 to the visitors.

Scotland came out after the break looking lively, but Italy won a penalty when Strokosch was ruled to have come in from the side. The kick was missed, though, and Scotland breathed a sight of relief.

Italy defended well for long periods in the face of some strong Scotland possession, with errors beginning to play a large part of the midfield battle. But they got their act together to bag another Try on 59 minutes, after Dan Parks’s loose pass was intercepted by Sergio Parisse, who thundered up the field in a fast break. He passed to Canale to score, and Marcato converted to level the scores again at 17-17.

Italy went on the upper foot and took a penalty after 68 minutes, which was then cancelled out a few minutes later by that man Paterson again, to make it 20-20 with 8 minutes to play.

Then in the final play of the match, and with the game looking like petering into a draw, Marcato kicked home a drop goal after a poor ruck, and Italy won the game by 23-20 – two short of what they needed to pass the Wooden Spoon to Scotland.

Scotland will be gutted to have lost this one, despite the fact they won’t have to take the Wooden Spoon home for a successive year, as it is Italy who take all the spoils from this match. Failing to capitalise after their result against England last week, Scotland have never looked in poorer shape for many years.

Teams

Italy
Marcato, Robertson, Canale, Bergamasco, Galon, Masi, Picone, Lo Cicero, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, del Fava, Bortolami, Sole, Zanni, Parisse.

Replacements: Travagli for Masi (61), Patrizio for Picone (63), Perugini for Lo Cicero (57), Ongaro for Ghiraldini (68), Nieto for Castrogiovanni (57). Not Used: Erasmus, Sgarbi.

Scotland
Southwell, Danielli, Webster, Morrison, Parks, Paterson, Blair, Jacobsen, Thomson, Murray, Hines, MacLeod, Strokosch, Hogg, Taylor.

Replacements: Henderson for Danielli (6), R. Lawson for Thomson (53), Smith for Murray (58), White for MacLeod (53), Brown for Hogg (71). Not Used: S. Lawson, Dickinson.

Statistics and Info

Italy
Tries: 2
Cons: 2
Pens: 2
D/Goal: 1

Scotland
Tries: 2
Cons: 2
Pens: 1

Man of the Match: Alasdair Strokosch (SCO)
Referee: Ref: N Owens (WAL)